Effect of Abrus precatorius and Amaranthus spinosus combination treatment on fertility in male rats.

Sir,

Curiously, it has long been known that hormonal suppression of gamete production was as feasible for men as it was for women. Studies conducted by World Health Organization (WHO) have shown that hormonal suppression of sperm output in the ejaculate to less than 3 million sperm per millilitre provided highly effective, reversible, and well-tolerated male contraception.[1] In spite of great advances observed in modern medicine in recent decades, plants still make an important contribution to healthcare. This study is an intention to identify the suitability of two plant extracts as male contraceptives independently and in combination.

Abrus precatorius (Family: Fabaceae) seeds soxhlated in 70% methanol, to prevent charring caused by absolute methanol and Amaranthus spinosus (Family: Amaranthaceae) leaves were macerated in absolute methanol for 72 h. Preliminary phytochemical investigation of the extract of A. precatorius revealed that the extracts contain alkaloids, amino acids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, proteins, steroids, and tannins. The extract of A. spinosus contains alkaloids, amino acids, carbohydrates, glycosides, flavonoids, proteins, and steroids. The extracts of A. precatorius and A. spinosus were given to male rats in doses of 20 mg/kg and 55 mg/kg for 55 days, respectively, while the two groups of which one received both treatments, i.e. A. precatorius for 55 days to complete one spermatogenic cycle and A. spinosus later for 20 days. The animals were evaluated for changes in body weight, gonado-somatic index (GSI), calculation of daily sperm production (DSP), calculation of epididymal sperm reserve (ESR), sperm motility, sperm abnormality, and the number of implants found after mating the animals with undosed female rats of equal age for 10 days.[234] [Tables 1 and 2].

Table 1

Effect of Abrus precatorius and Amaranthus spinosus dosing on fertility in male rats

Table 2

Effect of Abrus precatorius withdrawal and Amaranthus spinosus combination on male rats

The other group was tested for A. precatorius withdrawal and kept undosed for later 20 days [Table 1]. The duration of 20 days withdrawal was selected since the earlier results indicated that the drugs affected the sperm motility and abnormality and not the DSP or the ESR.

In the methanolic extract of A. precatorius, the sperm count in both the testis and the epididymis were decreased; however, the DSP and the ESR were unchanged indicating that the drugs neither affected the production of sperm in the testis nor the epididymal transit time. A. precatorius caused a marked decrease in the sperm motility, while A. spinosus increased the sperm motility significantly. The motility action may result from a rise in change generation of a reactive oxygen species.[5] The increase in spermatozoa abnormality following A. precatorius as recorded in this experiment indicated that A. precatorius could produce a suppressive effect on the maturation of sperm cells resulting in increased sperm abnormality. Such abnormality was not observed with A. spinosus administration. The absence of such abnormality in combination dosing implicates the sperm protective activity of A. spinosus. An average number of implantation sites in the A. precatorius treated group after mating with the treated male rats markedly were declined, which is consistent with the effects of ethanolic extract of A. precatorius,[6] it is more plausible that the sperm were unable to reach and fertilize the released ova due to compromised sperm motility, viability, and/or morphology. Although the study was planned to study the effect of combination on fertility, however the results contradict the assumptions.

Elevation of SGPT and SGOT levels are indicative of liver toxicity, the normalization of which, in A. precatorius treatment by A. spinosus, indicates its protective activity. This study suggests that A. precatorius has sperm toxic effects while A. spinosus prevents the cell death, it could improve sperm performance, even at a low dose. A. spinosus was observed to have no negative effect on fertility of male rats; however, it normalized the infertility caused due to A. precatorius and also the alteration of the biochemical parameters induced by A. precatorius treatment, indicating its role in minimizing toxicity. The possibility of adverse effects cannot be eliminated since Abrus has not been applicable as a drug except being reported for usefulness in reducing male fertility. Although the results are preliminary, the normalization of biochemical parameters by Amaranthus indicates usefulness of combination during toxicity of A. precatorius. This apparent reinforcement of action may be a possible means of avoiding undesirable side effects produced by A. precatorius which induces male infertility.